Welcome to Adventu, your final fantasy rp haven. adventu focuses on both canon and original characters from different worlds and timelines that have all been pulled to the world of zephon: a familiar final fantasy-styled land where all adventurers will fight, explore, and make new personal connections.
at adventu, we believe that colorful story and plots far outweigh the need for a battle system. rp should be about the writing, the fun, and the creativity. you will see that the only system on our site is the encouragement to create amazing adventures with other members. welcome to adventu... how will you arrive?
year 5, quarter 3
Welcome one and all to our beautiful new skin! This marks the visual era of Adventu 4.0, our 4th and by far best design we've had. 3.0 suited our needs for a very long time, but as things are evolving around the site (and all for the better thanks to all of you), it was time for a new, sleek change. The Resource Site celebrity Pharaoh Leep was the amazing mastermind behind this with minor collaborations from your resident moogle. It's one-of-a-kind and suited specifically for Adventu. Click the image for a super easy new skin guide for a visual tour!
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[attr=class,bottomlyric] And then I am in love with everyone I see
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In time, this blue of the sky [break]Will reach out to knock on the door to your heart [break] Content and we’re merely smiling
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[attr=class,bulk] Mikoto was nervous. Returning to Torensten after being overwhelmed on day one, well, it was a little bit of a challenge. However, curiosity propelled her forward. Plus, her mentor would stay by her side. That alone gave her a bit more courage to attend such a crowded event. He had stepped away for a few minutes. It was enough for her to eye the plaza for the night. [break][break] It was full of well dressed people, pairing off and following each other. It was much like when Bobby Corwen chased after genomes. Except, in this case, the person was not chased off by the creature with a high affinity for them. Mostly anyway. Some sat alone on benches, with blank expressions and a slight downward turn of their lips. Discarded flowers laid at their side. [break][break] In truth, she wanted to study the humans at this festival dedicated to ‘love’. Garnet had mentioned it plenty of times. That she ‘loved’ Zidane. That Garnet understood Mikoto, because she too loved a family member that had done undesirable things. Mikoto did not understand much of what Garnet told her. The human concepts were beyond her and confusing. It was part of her friction with Zidane’s woman. So, here she was tonight, at Legend Square, hoping to find some sort of meaning in what it meant. [break][break] And so far, love seemed crowded, noisy, and full of spontaneous energy. Messy even. [break][break] But the decorations and this non-verbal communication was fascinating. She found herself humming mindlessly to some bard’s instrumentals. Her eyes were fixed on the pretty lanterns and bright crystals that lit the night. [break][break] It was then she heard someone beckoning to her from a booth behind one of the hero statutes. The booth’s clothing rack held a myriad of pretty dresses. There were women running the booth and helping each participant to pick a dress. Was this a mandatory thing? Mikoto nearly turned to walk away. It seemed too much effort for a mere observer. But the woman called out to her again, holding a pink dress. Her eyes beheld the tactful ribbons on it. It was free for the night, she had but to return it when she was done. [break][break] Perhaps, it would do her well to try and fit in? Surely, she would draw less attention if she did wear the dress. Her mentor also encouraged her to try to be less like the other genomes. This opportunity may help her do just that. She agreed to wear it and let the woman assist her in a changing room that was simply four blankets hung up on strings. [break][break] Mikoto was then led to a mirror where she was to observe herself, much like Jessie had done. The clothing felt heavy, though the material felt nice. There was no escape for her tail, so the long skirt hid it from view. It was a little uncomfortable, but she could make do with the inconvenience for the night. She adjusted the pink bows tidily in her hair. [break][break] Suddenly, a herd of these females surrounded her. The ladies fawned over how adorable she looked, while Mikoto stood awkwardly unsure how to escape such attention. She simply looked down at her feet with a blank expression, but her shoulders taut. This was the opposite of what was supposed to happen.
We're not even going to address why he brought her. Why wouldn't he?
Why should the world exist without me?
”How much for the sapphire?”
”What was that, sir?”
”The sapphire, third to the right.” Kuja touched his chin, head tilted slightly as he kept his eyes locked on the precious stone. It had magical properties. He’d sensed it as he’d passed, and though he wasn’t exactly swimming in gil, he wasn’t one to pass up an opportunity to advance his own means. It was composed of a high-level catalyst for water elemental magic, he thought. A potentially useful component.
The shopkeeper looked down the counter of his stall, spotted the gem in question, then looked back to him with an air of utmost professionalism. ”Oh that? Five hundred gil.”
Five hundred? Kuja could have laughed. It was clear he had no idea what he had in his possession.
”Fine.” Kuja magicked up his coin purse as though pulling it from his sleeve, searched inside, and handed over the gil. The shopkeeper nodded at the transaction and then he was in possession of a water crystal. He magicked it away and straightened, turning to consider the festivities.
Kuja hadn’t been in the city during the flood. He’d had no reason to be, and disaster relief required empathy which was something he’d been created entirely without. Instead, he’d flown in the night before so that he could appreciate the life of the city, perhaps its beauty, and scan the temporary marketplace for anything which caught his eye. So far, he’d found the marketplace underwhelming and the art crude. Still, it wasn’t all bad.
He wasn’t bored at least.
Kuja started through the crowds, waving a hand to shift aside anyone who didn’t naturally stay out of his way. He drew as many eyes as ever in his usual purple, white, and gold fabrics which most considered to be cut too high and too low simultaneously. He’d heard there was a formal element to this event, but he didn’t usually bother with such things. His aesthetic was already meticulously designed to highlight his specific brand of mysterious beauty. Such things hardly applied to everyone, however.
He found Mikoto looking dazed at the center of a mob of women cooing over her looks. She looked to be in a kind of mild form of distress, but Kuja simply drifted to a stop, eyebrow raised as he made no attempts to save her from her predicament. As a genome, Mikoto was devoid of physical imperfection -- everything perfectly symmetrical, every feature strictly aligned. Her lesser model was diminutive with rounded eyes and a slight stature. While his form invoked a kind of instinctive desire, hers prompted a more motherly instinct. Dressed with all of her bows and ribbons and other frills, even he had to admit she looked cute. Objectively, of course.
But where in all of Gaia had she found that dress? He’d only been gone for maybe half an hour.
”Having fun?” Kuja smirked, locking eyes with her through the adoring crowd. He didn’t bother raising his voice. She’d instinctively understand.
He waited for her to join him before turning to consider what looked like a seamstress’ corner with all manner of dresses and blouses and assorted accessories hung up for display. On the far side, a pair of young girls twirled around in front of a mirror declaring that they looked like princesses. As someone who had no insubstantial experience with nobility, he had to disagree.
”I browsed their magical components. I wasn’t particularly impressed.” His eyes drifted down the road to an avenue laden with food stands that were apparently exotic. After that there were dancers, and past that, a stage that emitted a kind of primal beat that he could feel even from his distance. ”I suppose there’s nothing left but to enjoy the festival.” He raised a hand, smirking. ”Anything in particular you have in mind?”
[attr=class,bottomlyric] AND THEN I AM IN LOVE WITH EVERYONE I SEE
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This made me chuckle. Just two genomes insulting everyone at the festival. Kuja
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[attr=class,bulk] She almost didn’t sense him between her psychic distress beacon and being crowded by a herd of Zephon females. She could not help how Garland made her. He wanted her to be Zidane’s companion and what better way than to invoke that protective response in him. Though, it seemed to also invoke similar responses in whoever she met. After all, she had yet to meet a physical antagonist. It was both a blessed and a cursed gift. [break][break] Her predecessor spoke, but two words. That was all that was needed for all the women cooing over her to give a collective gasp at the sight of him. Mikoto did not hesitate. She seized the moment they were stunned by his dazzling display. With quick, light steps she quickly crossed over to his side. She made sure to position herself on the other side of him, so he was between her and the women. 'Fun? They’re like chocobos.' She creased her brow and shook her head. “I hoped to fit in.” And not draw more attention. “The dress is free upon return tonight.” She seemed to move a little to get a feel for this garment. It felt restrictive in some places, but she seemed to soften at the sight of the ribbons on it. [break][break] “Did you find something useful?” She had hoped to give him a magical component before the arena in the desert, but she had lost it to the sands. Eyes drifted to the sight of the festival. It was her first real festival. It was full of so much energy and noise. But she did not want to spoil her mentor’s night. She would try to study the people. [break][break] She looked back up to him. “A play.” She said simply. Ever since Jessie mentioned it and Zidane and Vivi told her stories, she always wanted to see one. “I heard the term ‘love’ mentioned often. Are you familiar?” Part of her knew she was changing. The moment she stepped onto Gaia, she felt things she had not before. Even her predecessors had changed from the old Terran sentiments into something of their own. She wanted to understand these changes, preferably before they occurred. “It sounds paradoxical.”
Please, please, please do not take lessons for Kuja on love of all things
Why should the world exist without me?
His successor had, in fact, not had fun. She made her feelings on the matter abundantly clear, and it gave him some twinge of amusement at the thought of her being pecked at by a flock of chocobo women. It seemed she’d found some understanding of similes. That was something.
”Keep it if you want,” he said, waving his hand. ”Who’s going to bother to collect?” The dress would sell for no insubstantial amount of gil if she didn’t want it. If the chocobo women were charmed by her appearance then that was their weakness. Kuja made it a point to abuse any systems of honor on principle alone.
Unless society convention suited his needs. But that was a different story altogether.
”There were a few things of note,” Kuja said. ”An elemental crystal for one, and then a few potion ingredients I was missing. Nothing spectacular.” His eyes wandered to the crowds, and he scanned them with mild interest. These kinds of peasant festivals were always unpleasant. Vulgar. Even when he’d lived among the lower classes, he’d held no love for them. Perhaps it was his Terran upbringing. As much as he appreciated the motion of a living planet, he still had his limits.
He wondered if Mikoto had reached hers already. He supposed it was best to throw her into deep water. She’d learn to swim or she wouldn’t.
It was a matter of survival.
Kuja started walking without looking back. There were things to do, he supposed, or at least things to see. He wondered briefly to the other attractions. The botanical garden had sounded pleasant enough. But that would hardly have shielded him from prying eyes, and he was, at least among certain troublesome parts of the population, something of a wanted man. No, this would do better to mask his presence, and if it came to it, the crowds would make for a decent human shield.
”You want to see a play?” Kuja glanced at Mikoto in surprise. She was, as expected, following, and it hadn’t taken her long to decide on an answer. Between himself, her, and Zidane, he was starting to wonder if something was simply hardwired within the genome neurology to appreciate theater. Not something intentional, of course, but a side effect of some other instinctual function. He’d have to consider it later.
”Love is an irrational emotion which drives the feeble-minded to madness.” His eyes drifted to the moon, shining and full and bright with its silver hue. He had always taken some kinship with the moons of Gaia, hanging there above the world and apart from it. This was not his moon -- not Terra -- but it seemed to fit him even more. It was more ethereal, and somehow colder.
”It overrides natural instincts for self-preservation, and its pursuit can lead to utter ruin. Its victim craves it even as it brings them pain. Which is why it’s such a strong theme in plays, I suppose.” He quite enjoyed the passion of it and the unpredictability. In theater, it was the ultimate motivation, pulling at the audience’s heart in a kind of ultimate catharsis. Kuja had never experienced love, of course, and he had no delusions of its desirability, but he found the secondhand experience captivating.
It kept him breathless.
”I wouldn’t recommend it. Look what it did to Zidane. Willing to throw his life away for the sake of strangers. It’s absurd.” And infuriating. And confusing. And-
”I learned Gaian customs through plays,” he said. ”There might be something around here.”
[attr=class,bottomlyric] AND THEN I AM IN LOVE WITH EVERYONE I SEE
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She is even more confused. But plays seem practical now. Kuja
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[attr=class,bulk] She looked up at him as he told her to keep it. She looked down to inspect her dress. Perhaps this would be a trial of trying something outside of her comfort zone. She preferred her clothes to be functional rather than elaborate and pricey. And preferably comfortable around her hips, where her tail could be free. It seemed the clothing around here lacked that. There must not be many with tails around here. [break][break] Instead, she was more than pleased to hear the practical items he was able to collect from the shops. She could not help but wonder if he bartered, like how Jessie showed her. It was good to know he got something out of coming here. “What will you make?” She was curious about his projects. If they shared anything in common, it was alchemy and engineering. She did not even bother to question why this was so. There was a momentary pause before, “May I assist?” She had many questions she wanted to find the answer to. Could that one-time use ore, used in Plaisir de Magicka be used as a slow-burn battery? They had an elaborate mix of magic and technology here. Not great technology. But still, it was enough to set her mind into engineering mode. [break][break] Her response on what she wanted to see seemed to surprise him. “Yes.” Her tail swished behind her as she met his glance. Heightened recognition of visual stimuli was required for survival. If so many went to see them, the stimuli must be grand indeed. “I’ve been told about ‘plays’ many times. I am curious why people create and watch these lengthy fabrications.” [break][break] He moved into the explanation about love. And she listened intently. Wasn’t all emotion irrational? It seemed to drive the people of this planet. It was a thing she was still trying to understand. And to imagine one of the emotions driving a being into madness… It sounded even more awful than when Dagger tried to explain it. In fact, she felt even more confused than before. If all it brought was ruin and pain, then why pursue it at all? “Is there a practical purpose for the strong-minded?” He said it consumed the feeble-minded. What of the stronger of the species? [break][break] She lowered her eyes to the ground at the mention of Zidane. Weren’t they but strangers when they first met? “He risked his life for me because of love?” It befuddled her at the time. Why would he bother to save someone as weak as her? Or even to save the empty vessels? Or even here on Zephon, he had risked his safety in the Headstone Forest for her. She remembered the warmth and safety she felt then… [break][break] Ah. She was so confused. And her predecessor hated too many questions. [break][break] It would be better to talk about plays. “You learned customs through plays…” She echoed thoughtfully. Her eyes lit up. She understood this. It was so pragmatic Then, she absolutely must see them. There was a list of events... She looked about for a moment, before seeing someone handing out the nightly itinerary. Mikoto left Kuja’s side and disappeared into the sea of people to obtain one. As she looked through it, she wandered back to Kuja to dutifully hand him the list. There were a few plays listed on the aged paper: Romeo and Juliet, The Sealskin, The Fox Bride, Psyche and Eros, Sleeping Beauty, and Rapunzel. [break][break] She curiously watched Kuja, wondering if he knew any of these plays. Or if he was interested in any.
[attr=class,bulk] As usual, the younger genome held on to his every word. It was strange being worshipped so. Usually he had to work for a position whispering temptations into a noblewoman’s ear or, for that matter, to be feared enough that listening was a matter of survival. This was neither, and he wasn’t certain how he felt about the matter. On the one hand, it gave him a precious living shield from any would-be crusaders for justice. On the other, he wasn’t used to being followed around. His space had always been very much that -- his space. Now it was something more like…
Well not their space. There was nothing communal about it. But it was different to say the least. He couldn’t quite put his finger on how.
It allowed for unprompted offers of assistance for one. He looked thoughtfully to the sky. ”There’s the black mages obviously. I’d made decent progress on their updated models before other matters stole my attention. With this elemental crystal, I might make an amulet of Return Water. It could prove useful in case another hurricane ravages the coast.” It also would have been of incredible use against the Kraken (again, what were the guardians of Terra doing here?) but he couldn’t really have been bothered to confront it.
What was a city’s safety to him?
”They’re idle projects, really,” he said. ”Though if I could find a potent source of time magic…”
It wasn’t best to think about. Those thoughts led to panic which led to despair which led him to impulses of destruction. Such actions weren’t strategically in his favor. Perhaps when he was alone. Then he could only take it out on the girl.
”Do you have any experience in engineering?” It wasn’t really a question. She had the stored knowledge of Terra’s archives, but that was only theoretical in nature. She hadn’t been sentient long enough to have put them into practice. ”Or any particular interest in such?”
It was a natural draw for beings such as themselves. They were neurologically wired for it or at the very least programmed in that particular direction. Zidane was an anomaly. How different they were all because of his initially underdeveloped brain.
Still underdeveloped most likely. And hideously prone to empathy.
”I don’t see what practical use there possibly could be for love. I suppose if someone returns the feeling, they’d fall victim to the same self-sacrificing recklessness for your sake. I’ve heard it’s of benefit to the soul. I wouldn’t know.” Kuja shrugged. ”I don’t feel as though I’m particularly missing anything.”
As poetic as it was, sentiments such as ’being half of one whole’ were terribly unappealing. It implied dependence and, more than that, a sense of being incomplete. Kuja refused to be anything less than his whole self. He was not half-formed.
Mikoto looked around then took the initiative to accept some kind of flyer without looking to him for permission. Kuja waited, arms crossed, until she returned and handed it to him. It was an itinerary of plays. Interesting.
”I’ve never heard of any of them.” He scanned the page, trying to look indifferent but failing. He felt his heart rise at the prospect of the theater. New theater at that. Doubtlessly it would be of a different style, a different theme, a different cadence. How long had it been since he’d read a new play? It must have been Lord Avon’s last release.
His soul ached at the thought that he’d likely missed the poet’s latest work. Then again, he was supposed to be dead. So he supposed he would have missed it either way.
”This appears to be a tragedy.” He touched the first title with the tip of his nail then drew a line down the paper, considering each summary in turn. ”And this one. There’s another. Then a comedy, an adaptation, and I’m not sure what this is.” He turned the pamphlet over, but it only listed the names and careers of the acting troupe. They sounded rather seasoned.
”I’m a fan of tragedies myself,” Kuja said. ”A cast of flawed characters are driven to their own self-destruction by their passions and the faults in their nature. They’re wonderfully depressing. The others would do better if you’d rather stay in a light mood.”
Kuja finally tore his eyes away from the itinerary. For a moment. ”Do any catch your interest?”
[attr=class,bottomlyric] AND THEN I AM IN LOVE WITH EVERYONE I SEE
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Kuja Lol. Genomes are not self aware of their feelings.
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He looked to the sky for a second time tonight. Mikoto followed his gaze up. The soft bodies of white energy that laid across the black, velvety expanse was enough to make one meditate. Did he find peace in it too? Then for a moment, she felt something stir in her. She realized that no matter where she was, she could look to the stars and know that somewhere, he too would see those same stars too. It felt significant to her. It was another less invasive way to connect to him other than their metaphysical awareness. [break][break] She perked at hearing that he was working on additional black mages. She couldn't help but wonder if they were similar to the creations he made on Gaia. She found herself at ease around them and wanted to see them again. They never looked at her odd or made negative remarks towards her or the genomes. And the mages were gentle in their care. She nodded at his projects, then, suddenly, he strangely contemplated time magic. However, she was beginning to learn his tones and trailing remarks. Her instinct told her it was not best to press now. [break][break] But now it was in her head. What could he want time magic for? She mulled it over. She knew she was to replace Zidane if he failed to assist Terra. And she was to replace Kuja when he stopped functioning... [break][break] ... [break][break] But she did not have to... [break][break] She did not want to... [break][break] Before the conflict could stir too far, he continued with his interview of her. She shook the thoughts out of her head. Perhaps he simply meant to use it to extend the life of his products. [break][break] "I monitored for vessel defects and improvements." She stated, remembering the large, specialized tanks filled with a genetic fluid that one could easily breathe and filter. Sometimes she found a new addition inside the tanks. It was just another way to keep the brain from being idle. The information was stored in databases and analyzed. "And I have seen the archives." But Garland had not left her much in the way of resources in Bran Bal. Only knowledge to pass the time. [break][break] Or maybe he didn't mean bioengineering? She was unsure now. "I keep my hands busy." Expressionlessly, her head stooped to look at her empty hands. "I learned to weave and begun repairs in the forest." She looked back up to him. "The technology here is rudimentary and lacking. I could improve upon it." In other words, she thought it would do well to tinker with it. [break][break] Where she lacked in individuality, she made for in functions. Though it was clear that the thought of work and aiding him stirred her up. Her skirts shifted as her tail snaked contentedly at the thoughts of productivity. [break][break] She silently accepted his reasoning on love. She had no reason to doubt him and falling into such unproductive madness now seemed unappealing. Perhaps, there would always be a rift between humans and genomes, especially when their morals and these emotional concepts were a wedge between them. [break][break] He took the offered itinerary and she quietly watched as he reviewed the paper. She did not understand what he was trying to point out on the itinerary - tragedy, comedy, passions, adaptation of what? - but he looked pleased. The sight made her feel warm, and she did not wish to disturb his pleasant mood. [break][break] He did define tragedy for her and his interest in it was clear. It almost had the same description of love that he gave. He tilted the itinerary for her to look. She blankly looked at it, trying to understand the synopsis. It was easier to remember what he pointed out to be the tragedies and the times they played. "Not in particular..." She mentioned, but she had only skimmed the titles uncertainly. [break][break] However, she tried just a little harder since he was so excited. She squinted at the words with more effort. Romeo and Juliet was about two people resolving their feelings despite their two feuding 'families'. The Sealskin seemed to be about a chance meeting between a selkie - whatever that was - and a human man who has taken her skin. And the last, Rapunzel, was about a girl locked in a tower by a witch due to the follies of her parents. Her contact to the outside world is severely limited. [break][break] She did not know why, but she felt drawn to these. She cautiously peeked up at Kuja before pointing out those three on the itinerary. Were they good choices? She did not know. "They are at different times. We could see more than one..."
[attr=class,bulk] Mikoto thought for a moment. Then she read the summaries and thought even longer. Kuja waited, his anticipation rising. He had his own thoughts, of course. His own preferences. But they were all plays, and really he wouldn’t mind seeing them all given the time. Perhaps the troupe would stay in town, and he could purchase some kind of season’s pass, studying this planet’s literary style for as long as his heart led him? The decision was difficult, he couldn’t disparage her uncertainty, and yet as she risked a glance towards him, it was she who discovered the simplest solution.
"They are at different times,” she said. ”We could see more than one.”
He blinked.
Oh.
”We could,” he agreed slowly. He’d expected that she would want to see something else in the course of the night. She was one for analyzing new experiences -- whether she truly understood them or not. Part of him hadn’t wanted to deprive her of that, he realized, and yet if she was the one making the suggestion…
”We’ll see the next one then. It seems there are two stages so we’ll only have time for half. Between the two…” The Sealskin or Romeo and Julliet. His eyes scanned the synopses again. ”Why not Romeo and Juliet? You had wondered as to the nature of love.”
The chaotic nature from the sound of it. Two noble houses at war? A lover’s bond between them? That couldn’t end well.
”Come on then. We won’t want to miss the opening act.” He started forward with a new sense of urgency and drive. For the first time in months, he felt, well, something. Passion, he supposed. Excitement. How would this new style compare to Gaian texts?
He hoped it wouldn’t disappoint. If so, he might have to burn down the whole festival.
”You said you monitored the vessels?” Kuja pressed onward through the crowds, occasionally waving his hand to magic troublesome human obstacles out his way. ”You must know the theory then. In practice, it’s far more complicated. As you said, this planet is primitive, and it was more so on Gaia. I had to reverse engineer the principles of artificial life using tools no more complex than the steam engine. Needless to say, it took time.”
The theater stages were past the food stalls, to the right of the live music, and then down the path to the docks. Or at least the map on the itinerary had said so. What time was it now? He didn’t see a clock.
”If you want to help, you could start by studying my old notes. The essence is in the adaptation. Perhaps you’d learn something about this planet’s technology in the process.”
[attr=class,bottomlyric] And then I am in love with everyone I see
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She is fascinated with cotton candy creations. Kuja
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[attr=class,bulk] Mikoto dutifully watched him as he also studied the schedules. He agreed slowly and she felt herself perk up. Her eyes lit that she would finally get to see one. She wondered if Jessie would be at either of them. But if they already missed one set, that meant they could only see two. That seemed plenty to her for a night. She nodded at his selection. It seemed logical to meet two objectives with one event. [break][break] Kuja was already spurred to action. For a moment, she only quietly watched. She had not seen him so motivated before now. It felt like a pleasant surprise that it left her struck for a second. Then, she hurried along after him. Though she found it difficult to keep the pace in her elaborate outfit. She began to wish she kept her native wear. [break][break] She found young males her biological age turning to look at her. Some pointed at her. But when they caught her blank, curious stare, they seemed embarrassed and turned away. She had hoped to fit in. But it seemed she had done something to attract more eyes instead. [break][break] Her attention was drawn back up to Kuja. “A steam engine…?” Her brows drew together in a surprised disgust. Surprised that he could fashion artificial life with something so basic. Disgusted at the level of technology made available on Gaia. But her eyes widened at the sheer accomplishment her predecessor made with what he had. [break][break] It was a surprising amount of emotions in her. [break][break] Though if Master Garland wanted him to do better, then why not provide the lone genome with better resources? [break][break] But another question seemed to press at her. “If the technology is better here, then why are the black mages still a work in progress?” An honest question, though she was excited to see his notes. To read Terran writing again seemed to bubble her with energy. “Are the raw materials lacking?” She thought back to the incomplete souls in the forest. The other materials could need refinement. [break][break] Then, she realized she didn’t know where his notes were. “Where may I find the notes?” [break][break] As he looked to and fro for a clock. Mikoto turned away, with less concern for the time, and instead spotted one of the food booths. She was intrigued by the soft fluffy nature of the confection. She could smell the heated candy as it was spun onto the stick with a centrifugal machinery. But not only that, this time the craftsmanship was far more superior than the melted ice cream faces. [break][break] They sculpted cute animal faces with the soft, cottony food. Some were the basic cat, bunny, and pig. But there were also those like moogle, chocobo, and tonberry faces. Gummies and hard candies decorated the faces. She clearly wanted one with wide eyes, but she knew her predecessor was in a hurry. Her gaze looked up to make sure he was still where he was, but went back to studying the stall again.
[attr=class,bulk] She asked questions as to his work which wasn’t a terrible thing. They were somewhat informed questions. Slightly intelligent questions. It was strange, having someone care about the mechanics of it all. Garland hadn’t thought much of his projects, but then what did Kuja care what he’d thought? He distinctly remembered his creator calling them a ’waste of time.’
A waste of time which wrought the destruction of every remaining kingdom on Gaia. That twisted, shriveled man had been entirely devoid of imagination.
”The technology’s more advanced, but it’s still not Terran. This planet is underdeveloped in the fields of bioengineering, and without a Soul Divider, it’s lacking in Mist. An artificial vessel needs an essence whether it’s hollow or not, and the Black Mages processed their internal stores of Mist like fuel. Without Mist, they couldn’t function. Which, incidentally, is why they had such a short lifespan. Once those stores were depleted, there was nothing left to power them.”
Crowds were a funny thing in that the greater the saturation of potential eavesdroppers, the less likely they were to be heard. Not that anyone here would comprehend even the fundamental principles of his work.
”Their development took over six years initially,” Kuja went on. ”I’d studied the theory on Terra, but the practice was another matter entirely. I had to master Gaian technology, the properties of Mist, and the intricacies of the planet’s magic. Then came the prototyping itself. Obviously there weren’t any machines or development chambers available so each mage had to be constructed manually. They were dolls, essentially, made of eighty percent nonorganic matter. Then they were given life.”
He shrugged. ”It’s the same process here. The technology might be more advanced, but it’s still not suited for the task. I have to study it, master it, and suit it to my needs. I think the spiritual residue of the Headstone Forest could serve as a replacement for Mist, but its properties aren’t an exact match. It will need a different method of processing. Which requires more research, testing, and the machinery to do the job.”
He glanced at her over his shoulder. ”I take meticulous notes of my studies. In Terran, naturally, but that would likely be a more comfortable read for you. Though I have had to add certain glyphs to the lexicon. There aren’t any proper translations for most planet-specific terms.
”I’ll have to show you my library. I don’t believe I’ve taken you to my reclusive hideaway in the sands. You’d find the city more comfortable, but if you want to learn more of my work…” Kuja waved a dismissive hand. ”I suppose I could bring you along.”
It might do him some small good to have someone to bounce his ideas off of. Not that he expected her to have any useful input, but it was better than talking to a wall.
It was only once he’d finished that he noticed the quiet look of desire in her eyes. At first he thought that he might have filled her with passion over his research, but then he recognized it properly. It was the same look she’d had at that hideous magical park as they’d passed the snack stands. He followed her eyes to a cart whipping up something out of hot sugar.
It was a strange fluffy thing wound as though by a sculptor into all manner of whimsical shapes. It was clearly meant for children, and from the delighted reactions of several nearby, it must have been effective. He looked at Mikoto again with her wide, wondrous eyes and sighed.
It would do better to keep her happy, he supposed.
”Here.” He magicked out his coin purse, rummaged inside, then tossed her enough gil for one serving. And only one. ”Get something for yourself if you want. It would be too sweet for my taste.”
Because she would doubtlessly try to give it to him. She was like a loyal dog in that regard. Or perhaps a puppy given her age.
